According to information released on Linkedin by the German company Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG), the company has unveiled its new 8x8 armored vehicle technology demonstrator called Genesis, fitted with a fully hybrid diesel-electric drive system.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
New FFG Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft Genesis 8x8 armored vehicle technology demonstrator with a fully hybrid diesel-electric drive system. (Picture source @Ninja998998 Twitter account)
Today, several studies and demonstrator projects dealing with electric and hybrid electric vehicles were carried out in the United States and Europe, both in the military and the commercial sectors. Hybrid combat vehicles could provide many benefits for armed forces. Automotive performance of hybrid electric vehicles in terms of speed, acceleration, grade ability and stealthy operations is superior to the performance of mechanically driven vehicles.
Hybrid electric drive systems provide better fuel economy than their mechanical counterparts due to the use of optimum engine performance and energy recovery during braking. Energy storage onboard hybrid electric vehicles can support silent watch operations and also electric weapon stations such as directed energy laser weapons.
Citing the European Security and Defense Website, the new Genesis 8x8 armored vehicle technology demonstrator from the German Company FFG (Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft) was presented at the Förderkreis Heer Symposium “Current Challenges and Perspectives of Medium-Sized Defense Technology Companies as a Driver for Capability Maintenance and Technology Innovation” that was held from 22nd to 23rd September at the FFG premises in Flensburg.
The Genesis was developed to provide a modular concept similar to the German-made Boxer 8x8 armored vehicle using a platform/drive-line and a removable mission module. The vehicle is powered by a hybrid diesel/electric powerpack located at the front of the vehicle. Hybrid/diesel-electric propulsion is the technology where a diesel internal combustion engine drives a generator to produce energy for an electric motor in a vehicle.
The significant onboard energy storage system can be used to meet silent watch requirements for extended periods of time for various missions. Depending on the power requirements of the silent watch, a mission can be extended over a few hours. Silent mobility over a limited distance is also achievable where the vehicle can move in or out of hostile territory with a reduced chance of being detected.
The FFG Genesis Technology Demonstrator was configured to be used as IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) with a Kongsberg unmanned turret armed with one 30mm automatic cannon. It has a crew of three including the driver, commander, and gunner, and the rear of the vehicle can accommodate up to 10 infantrymen.
Using the electronic propulsion, the Genesis has a cruising range from 40 to 150 km. With the diesel engine, the vehicle can reach a maximum road speed up to 100 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 600 km. It has a combat weight of 40 tons, with a length of 8.25 m, a width of 2.25 m, and a height of 2.40 m.
